Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COSMETIC APPLICATOR
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to applicators for
cosmetics. More
particularly, the present invention relates to applicators for applying a
cosmetic composition
to eyelashes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[00021 The general purpose of a mascara applicator or brush is to pick
up an adequate
supply of mascara from a container, carry it from a reservoir of the container
without
dripping, and apply it evenly to the eyelashes. The applicator must accomplish
this without
depositing lumps Or blobs of the material on the eyelashes.
[0003] Conventional mascara applicators generally include a brush
having a twisted
wire core and a bristle portion. The bristle portion generally includes a
number of uniformly
sized bristles spaced evenly throughout its length. Although these applicators
are generally
capable of depositing mascara onto the eyelashes, they do not facilitate
application of the
product to all eyelashes in an accurate or detailed manner, particularly the
inner, middle, and
outer portions of the eyelashes. Therefore, a user must carry a variety of
applicators or must
manipulate the brush in an unnatural direction to cover the eyelashes.
[00041 It is thus desirable to provide a single cosmetic applicator
having multiple
sections capable of evenly covering the inner, middle, and outer eyelashes of
a user in a
single stroke.
SUN:MARV OF THE INVENTION
(09051 In accordance with the foregoing objectives and others, the
present invention
provides ala applicator for applying a composition to a user's eyelashes. The
applicator
includes an applicator element having a large section, a medium section, and a
small section,
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which are adapted to cover the outer, middle, and inner portions of a user's
eyelashes,
respectively, with a composition (e.g., mascara). The three
sections of the applicator
element include bristles sized and spaced in such a way as to facilitate even
application of the
composition without clumping.
100061 In one
aspect of the invention, an applicator for applying a product to the
eyelashes is provided. The applicator includes a handle, which is attached
directly or
indirectly to the proximal end of an applicator element. Typically, the
applicator element has
a generally elongated body which includes, in series, from the proximal end to
its distal end,
a first section, a second section, and a third section. The three sections
each include a
plurality of bristles extending radially from the body. The spacing between
adjacent bristles
is typically largest in the first section and smallest in the third section.
[00071 In one
embodiment, the longest bristles in each of the three sections of the
applicator element may differ in length from the longest bristles in each
other section. For
example, the largest bristle in the first section may be larger than the
largest bristle in the
second section, which may be larger than the lamest bristle in the third
section. Moreover,
the lengths of the bristles within each section may vary to give a generally
ovoid or spherical
appearance to each section.
[00081 These and
other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled
in the art after a reading of the following detailed description of the
invention, including the
figures and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[00091 The
preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of
example and are not limited to the following figures:
[00101 Figure 1
shows an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the
present invention;
[00111 Figure 2A
shows a top view of an exemplary applicator element according to
the present invention;
[00121 Figure 2B
shows a side view of an exemplary applicator element according to
the present invention;
2
[0013] Figure 3 shows a front view of an exemplary applicator element
according to the present
invention; and
[0014] Figures 4A to 4C show a process diagram for the application of a
material, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] All terms used herein are intended to have their ordinary meaning in
the art unless
otherwise provided.
[0016] The applicator elements described herein are suitable for applying a
composition, such as
a cosmetic composition, to eyelashes and may also be suitable for imparting a
grooming effect to
further improve the aesthetic appearance of the eyelashes. In particular, the
applicator element
according to the invention is useful for application of an eyelash composition
to the eyelashes,
including without limitation, pigmented and unpigmented mascaras,
pharmaceutically and/or
cosmeceutically active eyelash compositions, one or more parts of a multi-
component mascara
formulation, or a combination thereof.
[0017] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary mascara applicator according to the
invention is
shown. The applicator comprises an applicator element 110, a rod 102, and a
cap 103.
[0018] The applicator element 110 comprises a cylindrical molded plastic body
111 extending
from a proximal end to a distal end. As shown, the applicator element 110
comprises a plurality
of bristles 120 (also sometimes referred to in the art as "tines") projecting
outwardly from the
body 111 such that the body is substantially covered with bristles. The body
111 and bristles 120
may be molded integrally of any suitable material, for example a plastic
material, such as a
thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, or
compound
thermoplastic materials including SBS or SEBS. In one embodiment, the body 111
and bristles
120 may be injection molded. Generally, the body 111 and bristles 120 may be
manufactured
according to the methods described in U.S. Patent 7,325,550 to Eckers et al.
[0019] The body 111 will preferably have a length of from about 20 mm to about
40 mm, more
preferably from about 25 mm to about 35 mm, and most preferably about 30 mm.
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The width and/or diameter of the body 111 may vary along its length or may
remain constant
throughout. In one embodiment, the body 111 comprises a width of about 3 mm at
its
thickest point near the proximal end and a width of about 2 mm at its thinnest
point near the
distal end. However, in other embodiments, the body 111 may have a constant or
varying
thickness of from about 1 mm to about 4 mm.
100201 Although
shown having a slightly curved cylindrical shape, the body 111 may
be of any suitable shape for applying a product to the eyelashes, such as a
substantially linear
shape or continuous curvilinear shape. In certain embodiments, the body 111
may have a
cross-sectional shape of an enclosed curve or a polygon, for example, a
circle, oval, ellipse,
triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, star, polygon, etc.
Preferably, the
body 111 will be substantially rigid such that it does not bend during
application. However,
in certain embodiments, the body 111 may be flexible such that it may be
manipulated (e.g.,
bent) by a user before application.
100211 As shown,
the applicator element 110, includes a plurality of bristles 120 for
holding and releasing a cosmetic composition, such as mascara. Typically, each
bristle 120
may be described as a projection and/or tine having a base that is wider than
its tip. In certain
embodiments, the bristles 120 may be fastened to the body 111 in any manner
known in the
art including staple set, fuse, adhesive or molding methods. The bristles 120
may comprise
any suitable surface (e.g., textured or smooth) capable of holding and
transferring a charge of
product. Moreover, the bristles 120 may also be capable of imparting various
types of
aesthetically pleasing appearances to the eyelashes, such as a volumized
appearance, a
separated appearance (i.e., the eyelashes being individually separated from
each other), a
curly appearance, etc.
[00221 Bristles 120
according to one embodiment of the invention will typically be
less than 10 mm in length, less than 7.5 mm in length, less than 5 mm in
length, and less than
2.5 mm in length. In one embodiment, the bristles 120 are between 0.1 mm and 3
mm in
length. In another embodiment, the bristles 120 comprise a diameter between
about 0.2 and
about 0.8 mm, as measured at the base, and typically comprise a diameter of
about 0.5 mm.
As discussed in detail below, the bristles 120 may be formed so that some or
all of the bristles
have a varying diameter, length, or cross-sectional shape. For example, some
bristles 120
may have one diameter, length, and/or shape and other bristles will have
another diameter,
length and/or shape. Also, the cross-sectional shape or diameter of individual
bristles 120
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may change along their length. The bristles 120 may be, without limitation,
integral with the
body 111 or may be synthetic or natural fibers implanted therein.
[00231 The
inventive applicator element 110 includes at least three sections (130,
140, 150) that comprise the body 111. The sections (130, 140, 150) are adapted
to engage
with different portions of a user's eyelashes to improve application of a
cosmetic composition
or to impart an aesthetically pleasing grooming effect, without the need for a
user to carry
and use separate devices and/or manipulate the applicator in an unnatural way.
For example,
an applicator element 110 may include a small 150, medium 140, and large 130
section for
applying mascara to the inner, middle, and outer portion of the eyelashes,
respectively. Such
a device allows for improved application of a cosmetic composition, such as by
a single
stroke. The sections (130, 140, 150) are described in detail below with
reference to Figure 2.
[00241 In some
embodiments, the applicator element includes a detailing tip 160 at
its distal end. The detailing tip 160 comprises bristles 120 and may be used
to reach the inner
corner of the eyelashes. The detailing tip is described in detail below with
reference to
Figure 3.
[00251 In some
embodiments, a handle 105 is fixed to the proximal end of the
applicator element 110. The handle 105 may include a cap 103 that is capable
of being
reversibly secured to a container of cosmetic composition and a rod 102
secured to the cap at
one end thereof and secured to the applicator element 110 at the other end
thereof. The
handle 105 permits the user to hold and manipulate the applicator with the
hand or fingers. In
particular, the size and shape of the handle 105 permits the user to hold the
handle between
the thumb and forefingers and manipulate the applicator for application of a
mascara
composition to the eyelashes. Alternatively, the size and shape of the handle
105 permits the
user to hold the handle within the palm of the hand and manipulate the
applicator to the
eyelashes for imparting a grooming effect.
[00261 Referring to
Figure 2A, a top view of the applicator element 110 according to
the present invention is illustrated. As shown, the applicator element 110
comprises three
sections along the longitudinal. axis I-I of the body 111 ¨ a large section
130, a medium
section 140, and a small section 150. Each section comprises an array of
bristles 120
arranged in a generally ovoid or sphere-like pattern, with shorter bristles
toward the end of
each section and longer bristles toward the middle each section. The density
of the array (i.e.,
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the spacing between the bristles) is varied for the sections (130, 140, 150)
such that product
may be evenly applied to the different portions of the eyelashes (outer,
middle, inner) without
clumping.
[00271 As shown,
the large section 130 is adapted to engage with the longest
eyelashes located towards the outside corner of the user's eye. The large
section 130
comprises a plurality of bristles 120 varying in length from about 2 mm to
about 5 mm. The
bristles 120 are shown to increase in length towards the middle of the large
section 130, and
decrease in length toward the endpoints of the section, such that the section
approximates a
sphere-like shape. The bristles are typically spaced from about 2 min to about
3 mm apart,
and are most typically spaced about 2.5 mm apart (e.g., 2.52 mm), as measured
from the tip
of one bristle to the tip of an adjacent bristle. The large section 130
typically comprises a
total length along the longitudinal axis 1-1 of the body 111 of from about 10
mm to about 15
mm, and will typically be about 12 mm. Accordingly, the large section 130 will
preferably
comprise from about 60 to 80 bristles, more preferably from about 65 to about
75 bristles,
and most preferably about 70 bristles (e.g., 72 bristles).
[00281 The medium
section 140 is adapted to engage with the medium length
eyelashes in the middle of a user's eye. The medium section 140 comprises a
plurality of
bristles 120 varying in length from about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm. The bristles
120 arc also
shown to increase in length towards the middle of the medium section 140, and
decrease in
length toward the endpoints of the section, such that the section approximates
a sphere-like
shape. The bristles are typically spaced from about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm
apart, and are
most typically spaced about 1.9 mm apart (e.g., 1.89 mm), as measured from the
tip of one
bristle to the tip of an adjacent bristle. The medium section 140 typically
comprises a total
length along the longitudinal axis 1-1 of the body 111 of about 8 mm to about
10 mm, and is
typically about 9 mm. Accordingly, the medium section 140 will preferably
comprise from
about 60 to 80 bristles, more preferably from about 65 to about 75 bristles,
and most
preferably about 70 bristles (e.g., 73 bristles).
100291 The small
section 150 is adapted to engage with the shortest eyelashes located
towards the inner corner of a user's eye. The small section 150 comprises a
plurality of
bristles 120 varying in length from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. The bristles 120
are also
shown to increase in length towards the middle of the small section 150, and
decrease in
length toward the endpoints of the section, such that the section approximates
a sphere-like
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shape. The bristles are typically spaced from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm
apart, and are
most typically spaced about 1.3 mm apart (e.g., 1.26 mm), as measured from the
tip of one
bristle to the tip of an adjacent bristle. The small section 150 typically
comprises a total
length along the longitudinal axis 1-1 of the body 111 of about 5 mm to about
8 mm, is most
typically about 6 mm. Accordingly, the small section 150 will preferably
comprise from
about 70 to 90 bristles, more preferably from about 75 to about 85 bristles,
and most
preferably about 80 bristles.
[00301 In one
embodiment, the three sections (130, 140, 150) and/or the detailing tip
160 may be removably attached to one another, such as by a snap-fit or
complimentary
threading. For example, the distal end of the large section 130 may comprise
threading that
engages with threading on the proximal end of the medium. section 140. As
another example,
the distal end of the medium section 140 may comprise a snap-fit that engages
with a snap fit
of the proximal end of the small section 150. In yet another example, the
distal end of the
small section 150 may comprise threading that engages with the complimentary
threading on
the proximal end of a distal tip 160. In this way, a user may store the
applicator in an
unassembled state or may customize an applicator to include any number of
small 150,
medium 140, and/or large 130 sections, with or without a detailing tip 160.
100311 The
applicator clement 110 is shown to comprise a snap-fit 114 at its proximal
end, which engages with a rod of a handle (not shown) such that the applicator
element 110
may be easily manipulated by a user to apply a composition to the eyelashes.
Although
shown as a snap-fit 114, the applicator element may be attached to a rod by
any other means
lanown in the art, such as but not limited to, complimentary screw threads and
the like.
[00321 Referring to
Figure 2B, a side view of the applicator element 110 illustrated.
As shown, the body of the applicator element is preferably curved about an
axis I-I to match
the natural shape of eyelashes, such that the small 150, medium 140, and large
130 sections
may better engage with the inner, middle, and outer portions of the eyelashes,
respectively.
Accordingly, the body 111 of the applicator element 110 may be curved such
that the radius
of the curve is from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, and preferably about 50 mm.
As
discussed above, the body 111, although typically rigid, may be made to be
flexible such that
a user can bend or manipulate the body to a desired curvature.
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[00331 Referring to
Figure 3, a front view of an exemplary applicator is illustrated,
wherein the applicator comprises an optional detailing tip 160, which may be
used to apply a
product to the most inner corner of a user's eye. The detailing tip 160
comprises from about
to about 20 bristles 120, and preferably about 15 bristles. As shown, one or
more of the
bristles 120 may be implanted parallel or near parallel to the plane of the
applicator. The one
or more bristles 120 may vary in length and position, but will typically
comprise a length of
from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, more typically from about 1 mm to about 3 mm,
and most
typically about 2 mm.
[00341 In one
embodiment, the detailing tip 160 may be manufactured as an integral
piece of the applicator element 110. I-Towever, in other embodiments, the
detailing tip 160
may be a separate piece that may be permanently fixed to the distal end of the
applicator
element 110 or may be removable and/or interchangeable. It will be appreciated
that the
detailing tip 160 is optional, and the distal end of the applicator may simply
comprise a flat or
round surface without bristles 120.
[00351 Referring to
Figures 4A through 4C, an exemplary process diagram is
illustrated. As shown, the applicator element 110 is attached to a handle,
which encompasses
a cap 103 capable of being reversibly secured to a container 180 and a rod 102
secured to the
cap at a proximal end thereof and secured to the applicator clement at the
other end thereof.
[00361 The
particular shape of the rod 102 is not important, but the rod may have an
elongated shape and may have a solid or hollow interior. For example, the rod
102 may be in
the shape of a solid elongated cylinder, a hollow elongated cylinder
comprising a cylindrical
space therein concentric with a longitudinal axis of the rod, or the rod may
have an irregular
cross section, a U-shaped cross section, or the like. Other suitable shapes
for the rod may
include solid or hollow elongated shapes having a cross sectional shape of an
enclosed curve
or a polygon, for example, a circle, oval, ellipse, triangle, square,
rectangle, pentagon,
hexagon, octagon, star polygon, etc. In addition, the rod may be made of any
suitable
material such that the rod is flexible, semi-flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid.
100371 The cap 103
is preferably sized to fit over a portion of the container 180 and is
capable of reversibly engaging a neck portion of the container using any
suitable reversible
connector mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the neck portion of the
container 180 and
the cap 103 have complementary threads. In another embodiment, the neck
portion of the
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container 180 may include a notch and the cap 103 may include a corresponding
depression
for engaging the notch.
[00381 Preferably a
kit, including the applicator element 110, the rod 102, the cap 103
and the container 180, may be made from plastic, metal, and/or thermoplastic
elastomers,
manufactured using injection and/or injection blow molding, and assembled by
snap-fit
assembly. However, it is contemplated that any other material, manufacturing,
and/or
assembly method may also be used. In particular, the cap 103 and the container
180 may be
made with anodized plastic materials to provide a metallic look.
[00391 The
container 180 may also include at least one wiper for removing excess
product from the applicator element 110. The applicator element 110 may be
used in
combination with the container 180 by first placing the applicator into the
container so as to
bring the applicator element into contact with the product.
[00401 As shown in
Figure 48, the applicator 100 is withdrawn from the container
180 to meter a charge of the product (e.g., cosmetic composition such as
mascara) onto the
applicator. While the applicator 100 is being withdrawn from the container
180, the wiper
removes excess product from the applicator element 110 by a smoothing motion
and pushes
the excess product back into the container.
[00411 The wiper
may be attached to or is an integral part of an interior or an exterior
surface of the container 180 and is capable of removing excess cosmetic
composition from
the large portion, medium portion, and/or the small portion of the applicator
clement 110. In
some embodiments, the wiper may be attached to or is an integral part of an
opening of the
container 180. Preferably, the wiper is attached to the neck of the container
180.
100421 It is
contemplated that the wiper may have any suitable size and/or shape.
Preferably, the wiper is suitably sized and/or shaped to be capable of
removing excess
cosmetic composition from the small, medium, and/or large portion of the
applicator element
110 with a single motion when the applicator 100 is removed from the container
180. In one
embodiment, the wiper has a shape that generally matches the cross-section of
the applicator
element 110.
[00431 Referring to
Figure 4C, once the applicator 110 is impregnated with product,
the applicator 100 may be used to apply the material to a desired structure or
surface. In the
9
case of mascara, a charged applicator element 110 may be used to apply the
mascara to a
user's eyelashes. As shown, the user may align the applicator element 110 with
the entire
width of the eyelash span. By contacting, the eyelashes with the applicator
element 110, the
mascara may be transferred from the applicator clement to the eyelashes. For
example, the
user may position the applicator element 110 onto the eyelashes such that the
applicator
element is placed into contact with the roots of the eyelashes. The user may
then pull the
applicator clement 110 along the eyelashes, towards the tips thereof, forcing
the eyelashes to
interact with applicator. Due to the novel shape of the applicator element
110, this simplified
action provides efficient yet comprehensive coverage and allows the user to
apply an even
and consistent coat of the mascara on the entirety of the eyelashes (e.g.,
inner, middle, and
outer portion of the eyelashes).
10044] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited
in scope by the
specific embodiments herein disclosed since these embodiments are intended as
illustrations
of several aspects of this invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended
to be within
the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in
addition to
those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the
foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the
scope of the
appended claims.
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